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    November 07, 2011

Congo Investigates Opposition Leader's 'Treasonous' Statements

   Peter Clottey
   Opposition supporters demonstrate in front of the post office in
   Kinshasa, on October 13, 2011.
   Photo: AFP
   Opposition supporters demonstrate in front of the post office in
   Kinshasa, on October 13, 2011.

   In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Justice Ministry has launched
   an investigation into 'treasonous' pronouncements allegedly made by
   veteran opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi in the run up to the
   November 28 general election.

   Information minister Lambert Mende condemned the opposition leader's
   statements as irresponsible, which he said could undermine the
   country's stability ahead of the vote.

   In a live television broadcast Mr. Tshisekedi issued a 48-hour
   ultimatum, which expires today (Tuesday), urging people to release
   opposition prisoners saying 'as president, I'm ordering prison guards
   not to resist.'

   'This is a criminal offense when you claim to be the head of state
   [outside] the constitution way and elections,' said Mende. 'It is also
   a criminal offense to call [on] Congolese to commit violence, to rape
   women, to kill policemen and members of other parties.'

   The government has closed down RLTV, which aired the live interview
   with Mr. Tshisekedi, pending investigation by the Justice Ministry, the
   country's media regulator as well as the Independent Electoral
   Commission.

   'We gave the case to the Justice [Ministry] and to the regulatory
   authority to decide whether this station can be allowed to continue
   [broadcasting] because we are not ready to experience a name-calling
   radio here in Congo after what Rwandese experienced in 1994,' said
   Mende.

   Many observers see Mr. Tshisekedi as one of the two main opposition
   candidates that could pose significant challenge to President Joseph
   Kabila for the presidency.

   Some political analysts say the Mr. Tshisekedi statements amount to a
   'political suicide.'

   Mende said the electoral body should ascertain whether Mr. Tshisekedi
   broke the electoral law since official campaigning began October 28.

   'We do ask the electoral commission to act toward this candidate who is
   abusing the electoral process'¦and the judiciary must do its work,'
   Mende said. 'This [Mr. Tshisekedi's statements] do not give to anyone
   the permission to breach the law, the permission to bring us to
   violence. We have experienced violence in this country and we won't
   allow anybody to bring us back to these years of war in this country.'

   Mende also warned citizens that the security agencies will enforce the
   law ahead of the elections.

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